Randy Williams, left, was nominated by Commissioner Kerry Smith but rejected by the Board of County Commissioners to serve on the Zoning Board
District 2 Commissioner Kerry Smith this morning failed to get board support to appoint his nominee, Randy Williams, to serve on the Santa Rosa County Zoning Board. Smith was argumentative at first but withdrew his motion after realizing other commissioners refused to support Williams.
Commissioner Rhett Rowell was the first to challenge the nomination. On Monday, Rowell asked to remove the agenda item from Thursday’s consent agenda in order to discuss it further. Rowell today said civicly engaged citizens had voiced concerns with him over Williams’ online behavior.
During the 2024 campaign cycle, Williams tried but failed to help multiple candidates win local elections. The aggressive behavior he exhibited against other candidates and their supporters resulted in calls to commissioners, asking them to withhold support for Smith’s pick.
Additionally, Rowell suggested the county consider establishing a social media policy for official county representatives.
Smith said Williams admitted he had “gotten a little too fired up on Facebook.”
District 1 Commissioner Bobby Burkett agreed with Rowell and said numerous people had reached out. “I have grave concerns there,” Burkett said.
Commission Chairman Colten Wright said that, like Rowell, he also has some issues with the conduct he had seen on social media. “I think there should be a level of professionalism,” Wright said, noting he would not support Smith’s nominee.
Local watchdog Jerry Couey also voiced opposition along with Pea Ridge resident Sherry Chapman, who said her concern was that Williams had not been professional in business dealings.
Smith said he heard Couey and Chapman, who formerly supported his campaign for office but are not supporting his bid for re-election. He said he didn’t believe there comments had anything to do with the Zoning Board.
But Wright disagreed, stating the comments made sense. Smith then argued briefly with Wright but soon withdrew his motion for Williams after realizing he did not have support for it.
Wright then suggested commissioners discuss potential new policies for appointments with staff.
